This blog features posts about the Genealogy collection and programs at the Roy and Helen Hall Memorial Library located at 101 E. Hunt Street in McKinney, Texas. It highlights new items in the collection each month, search tips, area Genealogy programs, and other information relevant to our Genealogy researchers.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Civil War P.O.W.s

The American Civil War was such a dark time in the nation's history. As with all wars there are at least two sides, and each one tends to take prisoners from the opposing side(s). The prisoner of war camps during this war were particularly dreadful. The soldiers themselves did not have enough provisions for their own needs so the prisoners were even worse off. One book you can consult to possibly find information on your ancestor is Confederate P.O.W.'s: soldiers & sailors who died in Federal Prisons & Military Hospitals in the North. It was compiled by the Office of the Commissioner for Marking Graves of Confederate Dead, War Department 1912. (1994 reprint edition Ericson Books). The names are listed alphabetically within each city and state where the prison or military hospital was located. Included is the individual's name, rank, company, regiment, date of death, and locality of the grave. There is an extensive index of 100 pages so worry not if you don't know where your ancestor may have been housed. One note of interest "the North" included a couple of states we might think of as "the South" - Maryland and Kentucky. You can find this book at R Gen 929.3 Con
Here are a few other titles related to the American Civil War prisons in our collection: Civil War Prisoners Sent to Missouri State Prison (R Gen 929.3778 EAK), Johnson's Island Prison: Civil War Prison for Confederate Officers, Lake Erie, OH (R Gen 929.3772 DOU), Prisoners of War 1861-65: a record of personal experiences, and a study of the condition and treatment of prisoners on both sides during the War of Rebellion (R Gen 929.3772 STU), To Die in Chicago: Confederate Prisoners at Camp Douglas 1862-65 (Gen 973.772 LEV), Andersonville Prison: Union soldiers buried there (R Gen 929.3758 AND).